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Lower School Counselor

Full-time, exempt position

 

Winchester Thurston, a junior pre-kindergarten through grade 12 independent day school in Pittsburgh, announces a search for an experienced full-time school counselor serving the Lower School. The Lower School Counselor provides leadership and professional expertise in promoting and enhancing success for students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5. The successful candidate will engage in a team approach with colleagues, students and parents to guide student support, fostering a shared view of academic, cognitive, social and emotional perspectives. The Lower School Counselor will respond to identified personal, social and emotional needs of students, manage crisis situations, and establish and implement educational and preventative services for students, parents, and faculty.

 

Serve as a trusted and confidential counselor and resource for students and families in the areas of social, emotional, and mental health issues

 

• Consult with the Director of Support Services, the Director and Associate Directors of Lower School, the Middle and Upper School Counselors and other administrators and faculty regarding student problems or concerns, as needed or requested

• Provide crisis assessment and management for students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5, and to the school community, as needed

• Develop/establish, coordinate and/or teach programs in the Lower School related to crisis intervention, health and wellness, personal safety, and other identified issues

• Establish and manage student support groups to address identified issues, as needed

• Provide crisis counseling to  students individually or in groups with identified needs and concerns

• Collaborate with and make referrals to appropriate community support providers/resources for students and families

• Develop programming, in conjunction with the Director and Associate Directors of Lower School and the Middle and Upper School Counselors to assist Lower School students with learning how to resolve conflict and navigate social dynamics

• Develop and facilitate education programs for parents and faculty related to early childhood development, behavior management, and social, emotional, and mental well-being

• Maintain counseling records in accordance with professional standards

• Engage in professional-growth activities through continuing education and reviewing current research and literature

• Attend faculty meetings, inservice days, and serve on committees as required

• Perform other duties as assigned 

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Requirements

 

• Master’s degree in a related field

• Licensure/certification in counseling (e.g., Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LSW), School Counselor with Secondary Certification, or other applicable certification) is preferred and/or must be obtained within the first year of employment

• 3-5 years of experience working with a diverse population of young children

• Strong knowledge of student mental health issues and early childhood development  

• Experience in managing a wide variety of difficult and confidential situations

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Ability to work effectively in group and one-on-one settings

• Demonstrated experience in planning and facilitating programs and collaborating with students, parents, colleagues, and external resources

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Applicants may apply at https://www.applitrack.com/winchesterthurston/onlineapp and will need to submit a cover letter, resume and the names and contact information for 3 professional references. Explore more about working at Winchester Thurston School on our website.

 

Winchester Thurston School is an equal opportunity employer. WT is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic community and strongly encourages applications from people of color, LGBTQ candidates, and women. 

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Posting Expires 11/30/2025

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